Exeter Harriers Clubhouse was packed to the rafters to welcome Jo Pavey, Five Times Olympian, and her Husband/Coach, Gavin, who were “Special Guests” at the club’s Annual Awards Night on Saturday.

The club, founded in 1904 and now with a membership of 495, was celebrating yet another year of outstanding athletic achievements with a number of their members achieving #no1 spot on the UK rankings and winning not only local and regional but also National Competitions and England/GB Vests.

The first to Bob Melhuish who has been a club “stalwart” for many years.He came late to running as his passion in his younger days was motorbikes.He completed several marathons and more than 70 half-marathons. He was key in organising many of the cross-country competitions and even at 80 was seen setting out the course for the Devon County Cross Country Championships.His volunteering also included taking on many of the maintenance tasks in and around the clubhouse as well as assisting with the refurbishment a few years ago.

The second award was presented to Tony White, Jo Pavey’s former coach.For more than 40 years he has been coaching at Exeter Harriers and many anecdotes were shared by his athletes.What is most remarkable is that Tony continued to coach even after losing his sight, more than 20 years ago, assisted by Les Curtis.Tony was instrumental in Jo’s early years as a young junior athlete. Back in 1987 Jo recounts that “he saw something in me – ‘Little Jo’ as he called me.He was a hard taskmaster and what I always needed was someone to reign me in and hold me back, but he was also like a family member. Our bond was immediate.” Jo also presented Tony with a vest worn by her at the Rio Olympics.